Grangemouth refinery halts producing crude oil, marking end of an era for Scotland’s only plant
Around 400 jobs are going as the site is turned into a fuel import terminal
Last updated 29th Apr 2025
Scotland’s only oil refinery has officially stopped processing crude oil, owner Petroineos has confirmed, marking the end of an era for the Grangemouth site.
The company first announced in September 2023 that refining operations would end in 2025, with the site set to become an import terminal for finished fuels. That transition is now under way.
In recent months, concerns have been raised about the future of local jobs, with discussions held between Petroineos and both the Scottish and UK Governments over how to support workers and the wider community.
Iain Hardie, regional head of legal and external affairs at Petroineos, said:
“Grangemouth refinery is no longer processing crude oil. Petroineos has invested £50 million in creating a modern import and distribution terminal capable of receiving finished fuels by sea for onward distribution to customers around the country.
“From today, we will be importing all the products necessary to meet Scotland's demand for transport fuels.”
He also paid tribute to the workforce, who he said had shown “incredible commitment, dignity and resilience” during the phased shutdown and decommissioning process.
“It has been a challenging period but their professionalism has ensured security of fuel supply to our customers across Scotland and beyond,” he added.
Brian Leishman, the Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, has said Scotland is the "victim of industrial vandalism", after an oil refinery in his constituency ceased processing crude oil.
Mr Leishman told the Commons: "Today is the end of over a century of refining at Grangemouth.
"Scotland once again is a victim of industrial vandalism and devastation, and I don't want anyone in this chamber to dare mention a 'just transition', because we all know that the Conservatives when in power and the SNP currently in Holyrood did nothing to avert this catastrophic decision happening.
"I put it to the Secretary of State (Ed Miliband), the Labour leadership in the general election campaign said they would step in and save the jobs at the refinery. What has changed? And why have we not done the sensible thing for Scotland's energy security?"
Mr Leishman shook his head and shouted "not enough" as Energy Secretary Mr Miliband replied: "Grangemouth has a really important role in Scotland.
"What I would say to him and to others is this Government, as soon as it saw the situation it inherited, put money in to help the workers and has made this huge investment commitment of £200 million working hand-in-glove with the Scottish Government so we absolutely build a future in Grangemouth."
Mr Miliband had earlier described the situation at Grangemouth as "very, very important issue".